Big Data on Small Savings

EARN’s Big Data on Small Savings research unearths rich insights into the financial lives of low-income households and provides data-driven perspectives on what works in helping individuals develop financial security.

Our original research dives into a comprehensive dataset containing financial, economic, demographic, psychosocial, and transactional data points generated by a rapidly growing community of low-income households who have begun their savings journey with SaverLife, EARN’s online savings platform. SaverLife members hail from all 50 states and are representative of the broad swath of Americans who struggle to save and are working to develop lasting financial security.

Big Data on Small Savings strives to understand the nuanced financial lives of SaverLife members, with the ultimate goal of amplifying the collective voices of low-income, underserved consumers to achieve a more equitable financial system.

Stay tuned for monthly reports and quarterly webinars that will provide a deeper dive into trends and topics that emerge in the data by signing up for EARN’s research newsletter.

Saving in Uncertain Times

February 2018

To learn more about the real experience of income and expense volatility among low-income households, EARN analyzed more than 700,000 financial transactions from 10,938 SaverLife Savers to examine volatility trends on both savings and checking accounts.

Introducing SaverLife Members

January 2018

EARN’s online SaverLife community empowers low-income households to take control of their financial lives. Members are representative of a broad swath of Americans who struggle to save and are striving to develop financial security.

Members Asked, We Delivered: 2017 in Review

Resilient and Resourceful

September 2017

A vast majority of EARN's Members regularly experience months when their income does not cover regular expenses. To manage the shortfall, leveraging social networks and juggling bills were top strategies, while using credit cards and loans were low on the list.

Aiming High

July 2017

EARN's online savings programs help lower-income individuals and families across the country save. EARN's Savers choose a goal, a monthly savings account, and link a bank account to earn rewards for saving.

About EARN’s Data and Methodology

SaverLife’s direct connection with low-income households generates millions of financial, economic, demographic, psychosocial, and transactional data points. Members complete a detailed intake questionnaire upon joining the SaverLife community and have the opportunity to link their personal bank account to the SaverLife platform. A unique combination of real-time transactional data, statistically significant surveys, and qualitative research consisting of interviews and focus groups, enables EARN to unearth rich, original insights.

EARN is committed to the privacy and protection of our members. All data collection is anonymized and secured using best-in-class security protocols.